Spain qualify for Hockey World Cup after Germany's Euro triumph

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Sunday confirmed Spain to be the latest team booking its ticket to the 2014 men's Rabobank Hockey World Cup following Germany's victory in the final of the TriFinance EuroHockey Nations Championships in Boom, Belgium.

Germany had already qualified for the World Cup by virtue of finishing first at the Hockey World League semi-final in Johor Bahru, Malaysia; and by becoming the European champions, who are assured of a World Cup spot, they created an additional World Cup vacancy.

Spain became the ninth team to qualify for the 2014 men's World Cup by virtue of their fifth-place finish in the World League semis in Rotterdam.

As per FIH rules, the highest-ranked fifth-place finisher from the two Hockey World League semi-finals in Rotterdam and Johor Bahru was to fill the spot created by Germany. Spain and Malaysia finished fifth at Rotterdam and Johor Bahru respectively, but Spain's world ranking of 6 fetched them the World Cup ticket ahead of Malaysia, who are ranked 13th.

On Sunday, Germany won their eighth European trophy beating hosts Belgium 3-1 in the final.